Experts share 5 important tips for a stress-free international move

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Moving to a new country can be like a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The excitement of moving to a new country is almost always accompanied with the emotions of leaving behind the land and people you’ve been living with.

Thanks to the internet and other technologies, people aren’t completely unaware of foreign cultures and lifestyles these days. Yet, culture shock is unavoidable, no matter how well informed you think you are. The best you can do is prepare yourself for the transition.

When you move to a new country, it is natural to feel disoriented and vulnerable. Feeling home-sick and wanting to go back is also very common.

How do you deal with this?

The best way to overcome culture shock is to educate yourself and be prepared for the transition.

Gather as much information as you can about the country you are moving to. This way, you’ll know what to expect. It’ll also help you prepare for the move and your stay there.

When packing your belongings, make sure you aren’t carrying anything that isn’t allowed in the country you are moving to. Be extra careful with your medicines. Some countries do not allow certain medicines without a doctor’s prescription. Check with your doctor and keep all necessary documents handy.

Ditto for certain spices and food items. Your movers should be able to guide you with this. Also ask them about the weather conditions at the destination. You’ll need to dress accordingly to avoid inconvenience.

2. Learn about the language and culture

What are the most commonly used languages in the country you are moving to? Is the culture there very different from your current city?

To avoid confusion, it is best to learn a few basic sentences in the language used at your destination country. If that seems too difficult, you could request your moving company to assign an agent who can help you out. When signing visa and immigration papers, it is important that you understand what’s written. Never sign on anything you aren’t sure of.

Similarly, the culture of certain countries might be very different from yours. Some countries might seem more conservative than others. To avoid unwanted attention, it is best to educate yourself about this. Dress and act accordingly.

This will help you settle into the new country without much stress.

3. Manage your tenancy issues

Moving to a new country means a different culture, a new routine, new friends in the making, new work responsibilities and a new house.

While you are still coming to terms with all this, would you want to be frequently pestered by suppliers, tradesmen, landlords, estate agents, and the like?

Wouldn’t it be awesome if someone could just take this burden off you? Moving with Writer Relocations, you could ask your move agent to provide support with this.

4. Search for a school for your children

If you are moving with your children, finding a good school for them is one of the most important things to worry about. Most expats prefer sending their children to an international school. But depending on how long you’d be staying in this country and how old your child is, you can also opt for a local school.

If your child is old enough, it’s best to ask them their opinion. Children these days are usually tech-savvy and chances are that your child has already researched about this.

Some of the most important questions you must ask yourself when selecting a school for your child are

1. What is the language of instruction?

2. What is the curriculum like?

3. What are the subjects they teach?

4. Would your child adjust better at a local school or an international school?

5. Learn to administer your expenses

Different countries have different rules regarding taxes and returns. Ideally, your employer should help you out with this.

If you are starting your own business in a new country, look for a trusted financial advisor to guide you through the process.

As part of our orientation services, Writer Relocations also offers an Expense Management Programme that helps you tackle your finances with ease.

Living in a new country is particularly difficult because you don’t have friends and family around.

The best way to change this, is by joining an expat club. Meeting and interacting with people who share similar interests and backgrounds makes adjusting to the new lifestyle a lot simpler.

At Writer Relocations, we understand that moving to a foreign land isn’t just physical moving. Our International Move experts not only ensure that you have a safe move, but also make sure that you settle in your destination country without any trouble.

Writer Relocations is one of India’s oldest moving company with experience of over 500,000 moves to 190 nations.

We are accredited with the best moving associations, known for their international service quality standards, globally. This means that you can rest assured when you do business with Writer Relocations. What's more, we're part of a group that's a leader in all its businesses.

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